Both sides are in the hunt for the play-offs, but who will win at a cold Valley?

With less than half the season played so far, it is tough to look at who will be in and around the play-off’s or promotion places.

However, both Charlton and Accrington are in prime position, with games in hand over those teams below them.

The form of these two teams has been similar all season. Both got off to slow starts, losing their next two games after an opening day victory. October then saw a surge in form, that carried on into November. Then since December, both have struggled to find consistency, and they will be hoping that a win tonight, could kick them back into form, and maintain their high league position.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton suffered relegation, by a single point, last season. The last time they slipped into League One, it took three seasons to see them back in the Championship, but this time feels like they could do it at the first time of asking if things continue as they are. A win for them tonight would move them up to fourth, and would see them starting to put a few points between them, and seventh.

In attack, Charlton suffered a blow, with Lyle Taylor’s refusal to play. This saw Macauley Bonne step up, but both left over the summer. Conor Washington was brought in, and his six goals have been very welcome and provided Charlton with some real firepower. Alongside him, Chuks Aneke, who was not a prolific goalscorer last season, also has six in League One.

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Young Albie Morgan has shown promise over the last couple of seasons. However this time out, he has racked up two goals and five assists in all competitions, his best return yet. The 20-year-old is still growing, but has shown he could be a key player this season for Charlton.

Defensively, the arrival of experienced Chris Gunter has balanced the defence, and Ben Purrington, who despite being 24, has played a lot of games for his age and has shown why he is set to have a big future ahead of him.

Accrington Stanley

Where Charlton have been turbulent, Accrington have been stable. They have a dedicated and open owner, and has become a stable League One side by working methodically and sensibly, earning a good reputation in the process.

Accrington have tightened up the squad, with Cameron Burgess coming in, and building an impressive partnership at the back with Mark Hughes, who even at 34, has played every league minute this season. In front of them, Matt Butcher has proven to be a good signing. He has adapted quickly to life in League One, and with Joe Pritchard there to help the attack, the core of this Accrington team is a strong one.

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At the other end of the pitch, Dion Charles has looked a threat in games, and with six goals in 13 league appearances, he is on a good run of scoring. I mentioned him before, but Joe Pritchard has been providing goals and assists from midfield, with four goals, and three assists. That type of form is key to a side looking to be in the mix come the end of the season.

Could the new signings shake things up?

Although it is early into the January transfer market, both sides have added reinforcements at hand for the game, and could feature.

Veteran midfielder Gary Roberts made a return to Accrington this week, after he left the club in the 2006/07 season. He was a popular player, and left to go on to bigger and better things. However, at 36, and a spell at Bala Town after his time at Wigan drew to a close, he will be hoping that a second spell at Accrington, and maybe a play-off finish, would be a perfect way to show that he still has got it.

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Charlton have recruited too, bringing in two attacking players to give them that extra firepower. They have added Canadian international, Liam Millar, who joins on loan from Liverpool. Millar has impressed in the PL2, and also enjoyed a loan spell at Kilmarnock.

Ronnie Schwartz has joined Charlton from FC Midtjylland, and with it, vast experience. He has played in several European Leagues, and made a couple of appearances in the Europa League too. He has a proven goal-scoring record, and will be a different option for the Addicks to have up front.

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